Making Friends and Influencing People

Making the Case, which has been launched by Drugscope on behalf of the Recovery Partnership, aims to help the drug and alcohol sector tell positive stories ensuring that recovery does not slip down the political agenda locally.

This short guide is full of ideas and case studies to show how you can communicate the benefits of drug and alcohol treatment to the different audiences who matter – local decision makers, the local community and local media. Blenheim’s 50th Recovery Stories feature in the guide as an example about how to make sure that treatment outcomes aren’t just numbers but about real people.

John Jolly, Chief Executive of Blenheim, explains the thinking behind the project:

“We decided to do the 50 stories to mark Blenheim’s 50th year because Blenheim is about the people we help. There was a need to show a wider audience what Blenheim does and the impact we have on people’s lives. In February 2013, Blenheim committed to actively campaign on behalf of people stigmatised by alcohol and drug use by presenting people with drug and alcohol problems in a more positive light, rather than characterising them by their drug of choice and how they consume it.

We have been using the stories to inspire both those who use our services and workers. As Chief Executive I do not know the story I will read each Monday morning. But I do know that I never fail to be deeply moved and often tearful. They are stories to inspire, they are the stories that remind us to feel, hear and see the often difficult lives people have and realise that there is always hope and the possibility of a better future. In the future we will be using them to fundraise, although they seem to have a life of their own. Blenheim will be forever grateful to the brave people who let us tell their stories.”

Where do you live?

Blenheim currently provides services across 11 London boroughs. If we don’t have services in your area, there’s lots more help available. Find out where else you can get help with drug and alcohol issues.